Pain relief for osteoarthritis is available in various forms depending on the degenerative stage of the condition and the severity of pain in the patient. Even though it is understood that the condition is a result of deteriorating cartilage in the joints, researchers have yet to pinpoint exactly why the disease causes so much pain. Cartilage has no nerve endings and a patient many times, is not even aware that he or she has the condition until it is already moderately severe. Medical professionals surmise that much of the chronic pain in osteoarthritis comes from the surrounding tissue that is irritated by bone on bone friction.
When the cartilage is worn down, joints and bone rub against each other causing inflammation, swelling, and stiffness. Some people sustain minor discomfort and may be able to function relatively well. The wear and tear of the cushion that is between bones and joints may degenerate at a slowed pace or at a fast speed. Most treatments for the condition are targeted at slowing the disease and keeping the patient out of pain as much as possible. Pain relief for osteoarthritis patients usually begins at low management, especially if the disease is detected early. Lifestyle changes are generally the first place a newly diagnosed patient needs to start.
Dietary changes that include weight loss, supplements and natural, anti-inflammatory foods or nutritional aids should be implemented. A physician usually advises anyone who is overweight to loose excess pounds in order to take more strain off the joints. Many patients have found important relief by loosing weight and sticking to a low fat diet. Other physical treatments that have proved helpful to those who have beginning signs of the disease are chiropractic care, massage therapy and a reasonable exercise regimen. "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God; for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." (Psalm 43:5)
Nutritional supplements such as chondroitin and glucosamine have shown to be especially effective in repairing some damage to joint tissue. For those who are looking for mild to moderate pain relief for osteoarthritis, general lifestyle changes can bring about noticeable results. Patients who suffer with chronic pain in osteoarthritis have typically sustained more cartilage damage. A more aggressive treatment protocol is usually necessary to help a patient reach a level of comfort while also attempting to slow the disease.
Prescription and non-prescription drugs are used for anti-inflammatory purposes as well as for pain elimination. Some milder medications can be used topically and rubbed onto the area of discomfort. Creams and lotions that contain capsaicin and NSAIDS can be very effective when applied. Applying heat to the affected area is also a commonly used method to help loosen stiff, aching joints. Heating pads, lamps and warm saunas can be a soothing source of relief. Other medications can be ingested such as acetaminophen and other over-the-counters medicines. For patients who need stronger formulas of pain relief for osteoarthritis, there are many prescription drugs that can be suggested by a doctor.
Injections can also be administered into ailing joints to relieve pain and swelling. Steroids are commonly used for injections and while they are generally effective, the effects are not typically long-lasting. Patients must return periodically for treatments in order to continue receiving relief for chronic pain in osteoarthritis. There can be serious side effects from many arthritic medications, so it is necessary that a specialist monitor all treatment protocols that include many of these heavy medications. The last resort for some sufferers is surgery on the affected joint. Many elderly people must succumb to hip replacement surgery.
Those who may have sustained an injury due to an accident may also need corrective surgery to a joint. There are patients who suffer with such chronic symptoms that they need a bone transplant. While surgery is the last option for many people with serious pain to their necks, backs, knees, hips, and shoulders, sometimes it is the only option for relief. Most of the 20 million people in America that have this form of arthritis deal with more moderate, degenerative symptoms. Many have found pain relief for osteoarthritis through a combination of treatments that include lifestyles changes, non-prescription or prescription medications, physical therapy and/or exercise.
In order to find out early if a person has arthritis, X-Rays can be taken that show signs of the disease even before there are any apparent symptoms. The condition can be hidden for many years while it slowly degenerates cartilage and continues with its silent damage until a full blown case of osteoarthritis is diagnosed. Early diagnosis can help slow the disease and even provide time to repair some affected tissue. Check with a specialist for more information about the disease and how to deal with chronic pain in osteoarthritis.
When the cartilage is worn down, joints and bone rub against each other causing inflammation, swelling, and stiffness. Some people sustain minor discomfort and may be able to function relatively well. The wear and tear of the cushion that is between bones and joints may degenerate at a slowed pace or at a fast speed. Most treatments for the condition are targeted at slowing the disease and keeping the patient out of pain as much as possible. Pain relief for osteoarthritis patients usually begins at low management, especially if the disease is detected early. Lifestyle changes are generally the first place a newly diagnosed patient needs to start.
Dietary changes that include weight loss, supplements and natural, anti-inflammatory foods or nutritional aids should be implemented. A physician usually advises anyone who is overweight to loose excess pounds in order to take more strain off the joints. Many patients have found important relief by loosing weight and sticking to a low fat diet. Other physical treatments that have proved helpful to those who have beginning signs of the disease are chiropractic care, massage therapy and a reasonable exercise regimen. "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God; for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." (Psalm 43:5)
Nutritional supplements such as chondroitin and glucosamine have shown to be especially effective in repairing some damage to joint tissue. For those who are looking for mild to moderate pain relief for osteoarthritis, general lifestyle changes can bring about noticeable results. Patients who suffer with chronic pain in osteoarthritis have typically sustained more cartilage damage. A more aggressive treatment protocol is usually necessary to help a patient reach a level of comfort while also attempting to slow the disease.
Prescription and non-prescription drugs are used for anti-inflammatory purposes as well as for pain elimination. Some milder medications can be used topically and rubbed onto the area of discomfort. Creams and lotions that contain capsaicin and NSAIDS can be very effective when applied. Applying heat to the affected area is also a commonly used method to help loosen stiff, aching joints. Heating pads, lamps and warm saunas can be a soothing source of relief. Other medications can be ingested such as acetaminophen and other over-the-counters medicines. For patients who need stronger formulas of pain relief for osteoarthritis, there are many prescription drugs that can be suggested by a doctor.
Injections can also be administered into ailing joints to relieve pain and swelling. Steroids are commonly used for injections and while they are generally effective, the effects are not typically long-lasting. Patients must return periodically for treatments in order to continue receiving relief for chronic pain in osteoarthritis. There can be serious side effects from many arthritic medications, so it is necessary that a specialist monitor all treatment protocols that include many of these heavy medications. The last resort for some sufferers is surgery on the affected joint. Many elderly people must succumb to hip replacement surgery.
Those who may have sustained an injury due to an accident may also need corrective surgery to a joint. There are patients who suffer with such chronic symptoms that they need a bone transplant. While surgery is the last option for many people with serious pain to their necks, backs, knees, hips, and shoulders, sometimes it is the only option for relief. Most of the 20 million people in America that have this form of arthritis deal with more moderate, degenerative symptoms. Many have found pain relief for osteoarthritis through a combination of treatments that include lifestyles changes, non-prescription or prescription medications, physical therapy and/or exercise.
In order to find out early if a person has arthritis, X-Rays can be taken that show signs of the disease even before there are any apparent symptoms. The condition can be hidden for many years while it slowly degenerates cartilage and continues with its silent damage until a full blown case of osteoarthritis is diagnosed. Early diagnosis can help slow the disease and even provide time to repair some affected tissue. Check with a specialist for more information about the disease and how to deal with chronic pain in osteoarthritis.
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